“Eleuthera is quite long and skinny. Less than two-hundred kilometers from end to end.” I picked up my pace to escape the burning sand underfoot. “If we head straight through these woods for three or four kilometers, we’ll arrive on the western shoreline. There’s a small farming hamlet somewhere on that side, and if we’re nice…” I gave him a pointed look. “The farmers will feed us and give us a place to rest.” I stepped into the shade of the woods, instantly relieved by the drop in temperature. “What I don’t know is if there are poisonous creatures or man-eating predators here.”

“None that I’m aware of.”

“One less thing to worry about.” I picked along a narrow path, quickly navigating around brush and low-hanging trees. “We’ll head toward the hamlet and—”

“You’re trying so hard to be the captain of this expedition. It’s adorable.”

“Don’t mock me, Ashley Cutler. I am a captain.”

“Yes, but I outrank you.”

I cut him an incisive glare, which he returned with a teasing glint in his eyes.

“As I was saying…” My lips twitched. “We’ll stop at the hamlet for food and rest then make our way north.”

“North?”

“Harbour Island. Look!” I pointed at a shallow creek. “Barely enough water to wet the stone bed, but if we follow it, we’ll find the source.”

In favor of drinking water, he didn’t pursue the topic of Harbour Island. Three kilometers or more from whence we started, we located a freshwater pool attached to a small waterfall.

The water tasted so crisp and refreshing I submerged my entire body in it.

“I haven’t had a bath in…” I dunked my head and came up to find his face inches from mine. My breath stammered. “I don’t remember.”

“The next time I have access to soap, I’ll wash every inch of your body myself.”

I’d said those words to my husband the last time I saw him. How long ago was that? Three weeks? A month?

Too long.

Oh, the irony. I ran from that man for two years. And now, I missed him horribly.

My throat closed, my world stilling to a dismal, eye-opening view of my situation. For the first time since jumping from Jade’s bow, I was looking at the real chance of survival. That meant I had to consider the future.

I was married to a man I loved. I loved another man who didn’t know I was married. Choosing between them wasn’t an option. I couldn’t. I wouldn’t. I’d rather drown beneath a burning ship.